Muhammed Ali is dead

Boxing great Muhammad Ali died on Friday at the age of 74 following a long battle with Parkinson's disease.

Muhammed Ali at his prime

A family spokesperson confirmed to Omnisport that "after a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammed Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight champion boxer died this evening."

Ali's funeral will take place in his hometown of Louisville.

The Louisville native was a controversial figure during his fighting career and a sympathetic one following his diagnosis.

Considered by many to be the best boxer in history, Ali proclaimed himself as the "Greatest of all time" in 1964 and the title stuck. Although defeated five times in his career, he is often referred to as "The Greatest" and is at the top of most boxing rankings.

Ali, born in 1942 as Cassius Clay, began boxing at the age of 12. Two years later, he was a golden gloves novice champion as a light heavyweight. He won the national golden gloves tournament of champions and the amateur athletic union's national title for the light-heavyweight division at the age of 17.